And I never realized how un-soundproof my apartment was until I started having to listen to these guys laugh and yell at each other when I was trying to sleep.  

Also, if I do invest in these areas, I'd like recommendations for property managers, handyman services, and other professional references.Thanks.

They could just take their chances that the lender wouldn't know, but not the best way to be able to sleep at night?

Once you have a property under contract have it professionally inspected.  

Definitely professionals!  

They are not professionals, so they really shouldn't be giving advice anyways.

If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, try hiring an amateur.There's nothing wrong with wanting to help a guy out but this was a bad decision to try and save a buck.

It has to be a catch-22 for the professional realtor crowd. 

Personable, but more importantly professional and a tireless worker. 

This person, as evidence by her prior eviction and her not paying you, either doesn't have any money to pay rent or is a professional tenant that moves from house to house doing this to landlords.